I’M a newcomer to Wales, and my family and I have been very impressed by the warm welcome we have received over the past few weeks. However, Aberystwyth University, the institution I’ve come to join and to lead, has been here for much longer – since 1872.

Aberystwyth has a history of being forward-looking. We introduced the first courses in Wales in a whole range of subjects; we were in the vanguard in admitting women; and back in 1885 scholarships were made available to all, regardless of their background, nationality or religion.

Aberystwyth has a history of being forward-looking. We introduced the first courses in Wales in a whole range of subjects; we were in the vanguard in admitting women; and back in 1885 scholarships were made available to all, regardless of their background, nationality or religion. The principal of the day, Thomas Charles Edwards, said that “great colleges become what they are by opening their gates to all comers”.

Thomas Charles Edwards wasn’t wrong about the principles of inclusiveness that make “great colleges”. But as universities across Wales reconvene, we need to take a hard look at the UK-wide higher education admissions system.

At a time of unprecedented change in UK higher education, Ucas, the central body managing applications to UK higher education courses, tells us that the admissions process “has not changed significantly” in 50 years. It’s a matter of considerable relief to me, and to many in universities, that Ucas now recognises the need for a really good spring-clean.

The key problem now is that a great majority of school leavers apply to university before sitting their main qualifying exams. Prospective students and their families and supporters do their homework incredibly well. They have a lively interest in the student experience, in the details of courses, and the careers they might lead to. All that is exactly right, because deciding on a university is often the first really major decision of a young adult’s life. Nonetheless, there is substantial uncertainty for them and for universities, because we have to make most offers with only school predictions of likely grades to go on, and then wait to see how many of those holding conditional places actually meet the offer terms.

So, every year, some universities under-recruit students, and are making further offers through clearing just days before the start of term; while others over-recruit, because prospective students have performed exceptionally well. A popular university is in constant danger of “overshooting” – especially for 2011 entry – where some schools are reporting pupils performing well beyond expectations in a dash to gain a university place before the new fee regime next year.

In the uncertainty, with a complex economy of first choices and insurance places, clearing and changes of offers at confirmation stage, some really excellent students lose out on a place altogether.

The review of the applications process by Ucas could result in a system of post-qualifications admissions; get your grades and then choose which university to apply to. There are implications, with A-levels potentially having to be sat slightly earlier. Universities would need to move quickly on applications but students could perhaps apply to fewer universities at a time.

The effects on widening participation, the values of which must remain sacrosanct, would need to be understood; but prospective students without knowledgeable advisers don’t exactly find the current system transparent.

Neither the consultation on these possible proposals, nor the changes themselves, will happen quickly. I hope we will all discuss the need for change in an open-minded way, but never lose sight of the fact that this is all about people. For now, let’s work together to welcome the new intake of students, school-leavers or not, into our universities and colleges, and not get so drawn into the rhetoric on over and under-recruitment that we forget the life-changing experiences they deserve, and we can provide.